Outdoor Retailer: Eureka Chrysalis

Hammocks have long existed on the fringes of the backpacking shelter market. Served by just a few dedicated niche manufacturers – Hennessey, Clark, Hammock Bliss, Eagles’ Nest Outfitters – hammock campers may be surprised by source of the latest backpacking hammock: mainstream tent-maker Eureka.

The Eureka Chrysalis is a 4 lb. 15 oz., $200 hammock that the manufacturer says provides the “comfort of a hammock with the functionality of a solo tent.” That functionality is achieved (at significant weight penalty) by the inclusion of two spreader bars, which together with a wraparound rain fly give the Chrysalis its unique, boxy look, which indeed resembles a somewhat squared-off version of a butterfly chrysalis.

At six feet tall, I found the Chrysalis to be just a bit short – lying down fully, I had to position either my head or feet below one of the spreaders. While there’s plenty of clearance to do so, I could foresee eventually knocking my noggin on the bar when trying to sit up. Otherwise, the interior of the hammock feels fairly roomy, as the spreader bars prevent the sides of the hammock from squeezing in, maintaining a relatively flat sleeping surface. There is plenty of interior storage space for miscellaneous gear. Indeed, outboard of the spreader bags the floor sags to form a built-in gear loft. There are mesh-screened entrances on both sides of the hammock, which also provide ventilation, along with a pair of higher vents in the head area.

Comments

Unfortunately, at 5 lbs. it defeats the main purpose of a solo shelter, IMO. I have used hammocks before, they are not good in cold weather, wind chill will kill you. But in warmer weather they are fun if you can sleep on your back.
Split between myself and another person my MH Skyview 2 is 4.5 lbs. apiece, including gear loft and LED light, and it is considered a heavy tent.
Also, you can get 7' Hennessey's weighing 2.5 lbs. for the same price.
I don't doubt it's well made, just a little put off by the weight.

With the right gear hammocks are fine down to below freezing - but you won't get the underquilts or aftermarket winter tarps to work well with this. It's a big expensive bridge hammock. The Jacks R Better bridge hammock is lighter and you can easily get/make insulation to work with it, plus use whatever tarp you want.

Hammock systems are very capable of going into single digit temps and withstanding high winds and rain. You may want to check out hammockforums.net if you are at all interested in trying a hammock system.